A dirty magician – golden mask

– That's strange. “She turned the bottle over in her hands. Then she opened it. I sniffed it. She took a sip. – Strong potion. New. Restores strength and health. But this is the first time I’ve seen such effects. I've only heard about them in legends. You truly are a hero. A champion from another world. I'll keep the potion for myself for experiments. Who sent you here?

– You know Regina. – I said angrily. I didn’t want to remember the former witch.

– No, I'm not talking about that. You could be sent to any world. Ours is not the only one. We know that. But who brought you specifically to our world. And for what purpose? Here's a riddle. We magicians need to figure it out. And we will look for your friend. So the adventurers guild is the place for you. Maybe you can find her before us. “She started digging around on the table shelf again. – Here are your new documents. Spell "Name and Status".

She handed me a sign with my name and status.

– The guild gives you a bonus of thirty gold. There is a note about this in the corner.

I watched. Yes there is such a thing.

–There is one condition. For now, don’t tell anyone that you are a hero from another world. Otherwise they will call you to fight. With your condition, you will lose and disgrace all the heroes who came to us before you. We wouldn't want that. And don't tell everyone about your world. Aralia can be your partner from this day forward. And responsible for you. It's clear?

We nodded. I didn’t want to talk about my world of the developed future.

– Sell the potion, but with a note that it was made by magicians in the guild. Here are the papers. “A scroll appeared out of thin air, which she handed to Aralia. – Don’t forget to pay taxes. You are a hero now, a citizen of the Yarov state. And excuse me for asking, but what's wrong with your face? It doesn't look like a curse. Were you born this way?

– No, it's a curse. The witch did. You have no cure for this. Or at least masks?

– Sorry, hero, there is no such potion. Maybe do it yourself. From these herbs.

She grew five blades of grass from the shelf. She gave it to me. The smell is floral, and maybe lemon.

– A potion to remove my curse. I want to become as handsome as before so that the ladies will stick to me. “The herbs in my hands became a bubble of bright red liquid. I drank it in one gulp. – Is there an effect?

– No, you're still the same freak. It may take time. Until it works, here is the mask. – The magician began to rummage through the boxes again. Yes, they are simply bottomless or there is emptiness there. I still don’t understand its principle. – Here she is. – She took out a beautiful mask. All covered in gold and jewels. – The thing is expensive. But it will suit you. It has the ability to heal and increases strength. Mask of the Lord of Darkness. She changes to suit her owner.

I liked the mask. I tried it on. Covers your entire face. It has two large cutouts for the eyes and the nose. Aralia created a mirror. I liked the look. Became like a man.

“You look absolutely handsome in it.” Your body is strong and slender. – Aralia said touching my toned arms. But then she pulled them away. “But underneath it you’re a freak.”

– Yes, the mask suits you like a hero. Don't take it off. You can come and visit me in it later. But already alone. Let's talk. I recently lost my husband. He died in the war with the trolls. Come and console the widow.

What came over them? Just a magical mask. I will treasure it. Maybe the potion is partially working.

– Maybe I’ll come in. – I examined the ladies. Apparently they can't talk anymore. – We need to go to the adventurers guild. Let's talk later, beautiful magician.

He started to go out. Aralia followed me.

– My friend Gaora works at the guild, she will serve you out of turn. And he will give the best tasks. Tell me what it is from me. Better yet, pass this note. – The magician began to write a note on a piece of paper with a pen. Just a couple of lines and she handed it to me. I walked over and took it. She grabbed my hand. It didn’t hurt to trim her claws either. – Come in the evening to the house one thousand three hundred three Magic Street, don’t hesitate. I was alone for a long time. My husband was in the war for a year. I was waiting for him.

I gently pulled my hand away. He nodded his head and left the office. Strange Day. Aralia came up in the corridor and took his hand.

– What are you doing? – I asked in surprise. She used to avoid me.

“I wanted to take your hand.” Otherwise you'll get lost. You're new to this world. I am responsible for you. Let's go to the guild.

The lady's voice became supple and gentle. The anger is gone. Miracle mask. Miracle potion. A girl and a boy who were playing on the stairs noticed the changes and began to scream.

– Bride and groom. Tili-tili dough.

To my surprise, Aralia did not remove her hand. The dwarf lady winked at me at the entrance. Appearance means a lot here. Just like in my world.

The streets were busy. People were fussing and pushing. There are a lot of pickpockets here. I noticed several of them myself. In dark hoods. The small knives on their belts glowed green. It's probably poison. Although it could be something else. This world is very different from mine. Temples of Light were everywhere. Monks in white robes sang chants, collecting donations into bowls on their hands. Others dressed in black called for prayers. “Ask the goddess Sveta for forgiveness. She is kind and will drive away the evil creature. Goddess of evil. A curse on her head." These are the fools. There are no gods here. There is devastation and poverty everywhere.

– Let's go to this store. We need to buy you a weapon. Otherwise you walk around as if naked. – The eagle lady said laughing and took me to a store with a sign “Magic weapons and items”. In this mask I began to read their letters. I didn’t understand how. He took off his mask. Again, unclear symbols. Allotment. I can read. Lovely mask.

The twenty-meter store was beautiful. Silk carpets and magical weapons are everywhere. Pictures of battles from different eras. From primitive ones with spears and arrows to magical ones with staves and flying dragons with riders. An elderly half-human man with donkey ears and the same teeth and glasses approached us.

– Welcome to my store. I am the Eagle owner. What you need? Let me guess. “He looked intently at the lady. -You need blades. You are one of the werewolf eagles. Your race is dexterous, but weak in magic. Look at these blades. “He pulled out two blades from behind the counter, obviously expensive ones. With precious stones and glowing red pulsating light. – They are fiery just right for you. It's also a good idea to buy armor. Here I have one for you. – He deftly took out the chain mail. Thin and light. – This is chain mail made from dmerite ore. The lightest thing in the world. But very durable. – Seeing the lady’s interest, he continued. – Only two hundred gold for everything.

– Thirty. – The lady said, trying on the chain mail and holding the blades in one hand. She handled them very quickly.

– Fourty.

– It's coming. “He took the payment and turned to me. – I’ll offer you a young man in a mask. Oh, this is the first time this has happened. You can't be read. And my vision ability is not working. Strange. You are not an ordinary traveler.

– It’s better for you not to know. – I said and winked. The words of the magician Toren must be fulfilled. At least for now she will help me, in finding options to return home. – Show everything. Maybe I'll pick something up.

– Your outfit is very strange. I have never seen such fabric. Lightweight but durable.

– Otherwise. And it doesn't burn. – I bought a shirt at a sale made from flame retardant fabric.

– Allow me. Fire spell. “He came up to me with a ball of fire and ran it down my sleeve. It didn't catch fire. Living in two thousand and sixty is something. It’s a pity I didn’t bring different devices with me. That's the problem.

– She may not be eager. – Aralia plunged her red blades into him. As I thought, they didn't pierce him. – How wonderful. You are so amazing. “And she kissed me.” I would be happy. But the kiss was addressed to the mask.

– So you don’t need armor? Then the staff of water is for you. I've had it for a long time. Maybe it will finally work for you as it should. Three generations lie idle. “He handed me a staff with a skull on the base. Apparently the creature was not human. More like a reptile.

– Too light. – I held it in my hand. Convenient thing. It’s comfortable to walk like a staff. But it's a very scary sight. The staff's eyes sparkled.

– He accepted you. This rarely happens. This staff belonged to the Lord of Darkness, Alejandro. Thousands of years ago until he was defeated by Michael in the Battle of Mt. It has two modes. Say blade.

I said. A sword appeared in place of the staff. The hilt had the same skull, and the sword was almost a meter long. But again it was very light. I waved it several times. Comfortable. I liked the sword better. At least it’s clear how to use it. I have no manna at all.

– It cuts through everything. Although, as always, there are limitations. He himself determines the owner. Look here. “He took the sword from my hands. It immediately turned into a staff. The skull is extinguished. – Blade. – But nothing happened. – You see. He accepted you.

– For how much you sell. – Aralia said. The sight of the skull fascinated her. People here are greedy for trinkets.

– Honestly I do not know. I got it purely for luck. He wandered around the world from hand to hand for many millennia. No one could use it like that. Except for Mikhail. So my great-grandfather got it in exchange for a bag of buckwheat. So two hundred gold.

“You can buy fields of buckwheat with this money.” Twenty or we'll leave. Look for other fools for that amount. – Aralia said, winking at me. She began to treat me noticeably warmer.

– Fourty. And here you have, to boot, gloves made of smooth rat leather. – Orliy pulled out a pair of black gloves from the counter. I tried it on. Lightweight and durable. I nodded to the young lady.

– Here comes the money. “She pulled money out of thin air.” She kissed me again on the mask and we said goodbye and left the store. On the street she said. – How lucky we were. We have money. And I haven’t seen such things for a long time. Now we are not ashamed to enter the guild. Otherwise I know their manners. Those who don't have cool equipment are looked at as empty space. We don't need this. You are my champion. “She pressed her whole body against me. So nice.

Chapter 3 Guild

This is the guild. Modest two-story brick rear. The only thing that distinguished it from others was the nondescript sign. How easily they destroy my dreams. Where are the dragons on the towers near the entrance. There is nothing. Only a fat guard in old armor at the entrance. He looked at us and, spitting on the ground, opened the door. I wanted to smile at him, but remembering that I was wearing a mask, I didn’t do it. At least the view inside didn't disappoint. Cheerful music of three dwarven musicians. Tables where they played dice and cards. Stand with stone task tablets. And three reception desks. Of course, with elf curators. Everyone is wearing blue sundresses and blue hair. But they didn’t have big breasts. It's a pity.

– What you need? – asked the lady centaur blocking our path. Her bust was outstanding. Size five no less. Aralia didn't like her right away.